I try to read much and as broadly as I can, but I almost always find myself coming back to literary fiction or “shorter reads” like poetry, plays, and graphic novels. These really help with reading slumps. I like to read books based on recommendation from lists, coworkers, patrons, etc., but I try to go into a book without knowing anything about it first. Most of the recommendations I see (and love!) end up being literary fiction. I love when everything ties together, and I especially love reading a from perspectives I hadn’t considered before. I also used to read a lot of YA, but unfortunately I’ve been slowing down on that lately- it’s also great for reading slumps!
After looking over the genre list, I realized that I don’t think I’ve ever read a western. I don’t have any hard feelings against the genre, though- I just never see any western recommendations (if anyone has any please let me know!). Any of what the textbook called “landscape reads” (fantasy, westerns, historical fiction) are kind of hard for me to get into, especially if they’re not especially character driven. I also keep trying to like horror, but most of the titles I’ve read ended up being really depressing. I really like when horror is “fun” or “spooky” or “thrilling”- “gritty” or “edgy” stories end up taking the fun out of it for me.
Some of my favorite authors are: Gillian Flynn, Hank Green, Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, Carmen Maria Machado, Noelle Stevenson, James Baldwin, Shirley Jackson, Celeste Ng, Jenny Han, and Jason Reynolds.
The best books I read in 2019 were: The Miseducation of Cameron Post (Emily Danforth), The Color Purple (Alice Walker), Hush (Jacqueline Woodson), Glass, Irony, and God (Anne Carson), Catch and Kill (Ronan Farrow), and In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado).
Hi Susan! I agree with you about not being able to get into "landscape reads" except for a few historical fiction novels. I have to have a more involved plot in the stories I read a lot of the novels in this genre can be slow. I am not a fantasy fan at all, but I did read a YA book for a class last year that was decent called The Traitor's Game by Jennifer Neilsen. So, if you're looking for a fantasy book to try and get into, this one might be a good try!
ReplyDeleteI don't like fantasy novels either. I also read The Traitor's Game for class in 2018. It was interesting, a bit hard to get into at first and very confusing. But it peaked my interest enough to want to read the sequel.
DeleteThank you! I'll make sure to add that to the list :) Is it part of a series?
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI agree that book lists and recommendations are great. For me, one of the biggest perks of my library job is all the publisher, Booklist, library generated and other recommendations that show up in my email. My room at home is full of little slips of scrap paper on which I've jotted down books from these sources that caught my interest.
I agree, as well, about books that are particularly gritty. For instance, I read the first several books in Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series, but as the series progressed she gave us more and more from the serial killer's perspective -- not something I wanted to think about. I'm an escapist reader, so if I can't have a "happy" ending, I at least want a satisfying one, in which good defeats evil.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read any western novels either. Probably because this genre doesn't really have any appeal to me. My husband loves it though and has all the Louis L'Amour novels. I'm not in to fantasy or SciFi novels either. However, I love SciFi shows, which doesn't make sense to my kids and me either. I do love a good Historical Fiction novel, especially if it's a series.
Hi, Susan. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in the Indianapolis area, Carmen Maria Machado is coming to Butler University to speak in a couple of weeks (it's free). Here's the link for more info: https://butlerartscenter.org/event/visiting-writers-series-carmen-machado
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! Unfortunately I'm not very close to Indy, but now I really wish I was :( Thank you for sharing the link though- I'll definitely check it out.
DeleteHi Susan! I read my first western back in a popular literature class during undergrad. It was called No Country for Old Men. There's a movie based on it, as well. I remember really liking it. I really want to read In the Dream House. So many people seem to love that one! But my library's hold list is very daunting, haha. Maybe I can find a friend with a copy. Looking forward to reading your annotations!
ReplyDeleteI'll check that out! Do you know if it's what the movie's based on? Also I can't recommend In the Dream House enough- I hope someone can lend it to you!
DeleteI've never read a western either! I have read from multiple sources that the western Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey is a great book no matter what genres you like (or whether or not you like westerns at all), but I have yet to read it. It is on my list!
ReplyDeleteI would hate for you to give up on the horror genre as it is my favorite! I would recommend the book The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero. I think you would find it spooky but not dark or gross. I find that horror is a diverse genre, you just have to know where to look. There is also a book about a haunted IKEA store called Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (another that's on my list to read!) that you might also find on the lighter side.
I promise I won't give up on horror- I've just had a bit of bad luck with it so far. Thank you so much for the suggestions- I checked out Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero but never got to actually read it. Both of those look like great reads!
DeleteI recently started reading Roxane Gay's work and I am loving it. I listened to the audiobook of Hunger that she narrated and thought it was fantastic. I also listened to the audiobook of Not That Bad because the essays in it were narrated by the people who wrote them. They were very moving. Also sometimes disturbing. That book has stuck with me. It's funny because I mention in my profile that I don't like westerns but I've never even read one! I think I just assume I won't like it because I dislike anything county or western. Music, dress, décor... not my thing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Not That Bad yet, so thanks for the heads up! If you picked Westerns as one of your 5 genres, maybe we could meet back around that time and compare notes- I'm a little wary myself.
DeleteHi, Susan! I think it is so interesting that you say you try to go into reading a book not knowing anything about it. I have such a hard time doing that, but I wish I did it more often! I tend to read reviews first (or hear a positive review on NPR or from a friend, etc.) before deciding to read a book. I think it's because I want to feel more confident that I'm going to like it before I start reading it, but I think it definitely takes some of the fun out of reading a new book to do that "research" first!
ReplyDeleteWell the reason I started was I would read synopses that would have major spoilers listed as inciting incidents or I'd get a completely wrong impression of the book and be disappointed. I don't know how effective it is, but it definitely cuts down on research time!
DeleteOut of all the genres I probably read westerns the least - but once in a blue moon they come up! I loved the TV series, Westworld! Also, I'm getting to meet Jason Reynolds this Thursday, I too love his books. Great reading profile!
ReplyDeleteI really like CJ Box books. They are easy reads and vary from suspense, to mystery, western, crime. All of his earlier books are based in WY (my old stomping grounds) so they feel familiar to me. I too like getting book recommendations from friends- while we might read different things it is a great way to connect and then understand what they liked or didn't like.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation! I'll try to check it out soon :)
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